Sarkozy faces tough six-month stint as EU head

Euronews

Two immediate problems are coming onto President Sarkozy’s radar as he bids to refashion the EU. Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski has announced he will not be signing his parliament’s ratification of the Lisbon treaty, which he calls “pointless” following its rejection by the Irish electorate.

It is an early blow to France’s hopes of relegating the significance of the Irish ‘no’ and moving business forward.

Another problem comes in the form of the German President Horst Kohler. He too says he will be delaying his signature on the treaty, as several constitutional appeals against it are being heard in the country’s highest court. It is expected to rule in the Autumn. Chancellor Angela Merkel has already obtained parliamentary ratification.